It will be 2 to 3 days in the hospital (I think I mentioned that already, though), then physical therapy at home, then, I'm assuming, out patient physical therapy. I'll be out of work 6 to 12 weeks. We have separate "sick" and "annual" (personal) leave. The good thing is that at my sick leave from my first job with the state of Missouri actually transferred to my new job, and I have over 12 weeks save up on sick leave. So I won't even have to touch my annual leave.

Allison, it is good that your sick pay rolled over, not only from changing jobs, but year-to-year. Many places put a cap on how many days you can roll over and it is usually only a few weeks at most. We will be praying for you.

"We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners."

You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Well, I got approved for the townhouse with an extra $300 deposit. Their normal deposit plus pet deposit plus this extra deposit is still less than one month's rent, which is what one expects to pay for a rental deposit, so I guess that is okay.

But then I get home and I got a letter in the mail from Paul's attorney. She suggests that we go back to mediation since I am in default on the loan and cannot get Paul's name off the mortgage by August. When I asked him to extend the deadline, his answer was a counteroffer of him getting primary custody of the kids with me having parenting time every other weekend and Wednesday nights, adjusting the child support accordingly and me no longer getting spousal support. If this were to happen, I would not qualify for a studio apartment, let alone someplace where the boys could live with me even part time. I would have to drop out of school and take a full-time job on top of the part-time jobs that I am currently working in order to afford the townhouse. But my insurance is contingent on me being enrolled in school both fall and spring semesters, so that would also delay the needed surgery.

Right now, I just want to crawl up in a ball on my bed and cry, but I need to leave for class in an hour and need to get dinner in the oven for the boys before I leave.

"We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners."

You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Praying for God to soften Paul's heart and help him to be the man he could be--even more for God to make His provision to you so clear that you and your boys and all others would see He has His hand on you. Bless you, Dear.

So delighted to hear that all went well for you, dear Marianne. Wondering now how Allison is doing.

I am currently involved in a book I'm reading, "Proof of Heaven" by Dr. Eben Alexander. Have any of you read it? He is a neurosurgeon who had an Near Death Experience, subsequently became a believer. His story is fascinating and almost impossible for me to put down.

Joanney, I too will be remembering you in prayer. It sounds overwhelming, humanly speaking, but a small matter in God's hands. Nothing can touch you without His permission. Just remember His unconditional love and power to control the universe.

It reminds me of the verse, loosely translated....Lord, we don't know what to do but our eyes are on You.

Joanney - I haven't a clue what all is involved in mediation, but my first reaction is to reject the attorney's "suggestion" and proceed as planned letting the house foreclose (it's Paul's responsibility, not yours). Why should you be the one left holding the bag, anyway. Just thank her, but let her know you are done mediating, since it isn't in your or your sons' best interest.

For what that is worth, anyway.

I do add my second to what Verna and GreenLeaves have written. God is your protector. I'm praying you will have a special sense of His arms surrounding you with the comfort of His love and wiping away your tears.

Allison, I'm so glad your surgery went well. Thanks for checking in with us to let us know already. I didn't know when you would be able to post. Praying you'll have a smooth recovery.

Joanney, hugs to you. What a mess. It's bad enough that Paul would even think of such conditions. And then his attorney actually goes along with his ridiculous ideas. I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. Since you were approved for the townhouse, can you still go forward with moving and letting the foreclosure happen? And then can you say no to Paul's counteroffer? Or are you prevented from foreclosing now? I don't know if I understand all of the details right. I feel bad for you that everything is so complicated. I know you have a strong faith in the one true living God who has promised he will take care of you. You're human, though, and I can believe that emotions are high right now. More hugs.

I have some serious concerns after reading "Proof of Heaven". Not once, at least so far in my reading, and I am more than three fourths through it, does it mention Jesus or the need for repentance. Can't say I recommend this book after all. I hope I haven't mislead anyone.

Green Leaves wrote:I have some serious concerns after reading "Proof of Heaven". Not once, at least so far in my reading, and I am more than three fourths through it, does it mention Jesus or the need for repentance. Can't say I recommend this book after all. I hope I haven't mislead anyone.

I haven't read the book, and I don't intend to read it. God's Word provides all the proof I need. I am highly skeptical of the various books and stories about authors having been to heaven or hell and back again. Their "experiences" are not biblical, and are satanically inspired. The books prey on the human emotion while filling the mind with that which people want to hear.

The devil is a deceiver who is trying to turn our eyes away from Jesus. He would love to convince people they don't need Jesus to enter heaven, and that all will go there without a repentent faith alone in Him. Sadly, there will be many false conversions as a result of his schemes of easy believe-ism.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it!

Don

John 14:6Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

I'm HOME! I walked 150 feet with the walker and went up and down a couple of steps. But now for the next 8 days or so, I have to put up with this "active care pump" that squeezes your legs every few seconds. It's to prevent blood clots, so I know I need it, but it's still entirely annoying.

Well, I stopped playing phone tag when my lawyer this afternoon. He advised to go back to negotiations with Paul, but said that the solution would be related to the property, not to parenting time, or support. It may mean that Paul ends up with the house, or a payment from a sale or Deed in Lieu. That was a major relief. One friend told me to let Paul continue to think that he can do as he suggested so that he doesn't start thinking up other stuff. I responded by saying that he knew nothing would matter more than the boys, so he slam dunked on the first shot. Anything else he comes up with will be an airball in comparison.

This situation has lead me to seriously consider the timing of me continuing my education at this time. I am not willing to give up my life-time dream of becoming a teacher, but I am thinking that perhaps I need to put it on hold. Is it really worth the sacrifice to the boys for me to be gone to class 2 nights a week and studying all of my spare time? Add to that the time it will take to pack and move. And that fact that I have noticed that stress increases the symptoms of my condition. I am wondering if it would be better to simply find a full-time job and focus on life and the boys. I can always go back after Simon graduates.

So, please pray for wisdom and direction on whether or not I should withdraw from classes and for a better job. Also for smooth negotiations with Paul. Thanks.

"We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners."

You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17